Update: Pepper Lunch Express apologised to a man whose daughter found a cooked cockroach in her meal.
Pepper Lunch Express has taken responsibility for the issue and has apologised to Mr Lee. The chain wrote in a Facebook comment: “We are sorry to hear about your negative experience with our delivery takeout. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused.
“Ensuring the quality and hygiene of our food is of utmost importance to us, and we would like to investigate this issue further to ensure that it does not happen again in the future.”
Pepper Lunch’s Singapore team also asked Mr Lee to reach out to its marketing team to resolve this issue.
SINGAPORE: A Singapore man has claimed that his daughter was left traumatised after finding a cooked cockroach in a Pepper Lunch Express meal.
Sharing photos of the cockroach and the meal on the ‘Complaint Singapore’ page, Facebook user Lee Steven revealed on Saturday (5 Aug) that his daughter ordered the Chicken Pepper Rice Bowl Set A via Grab from the Pepper Lunch Express outlet at the Compass One shopping centre in Sengkang.
Mr Lee wrote: “After a few bites, she noticed that there was a cockroach in the bowl which seems to be cooked, she felt very traumatized and nauseous. Hope this could be investigated throughly and provide an update (by the) Singapore Food Agency (SFA).”
Pepper Lunch Express is a popular fast-food chain that specialises in DIY (Do-It-Yourself) teppan-style cooking, in which customers can cook their meals directly on a sizzling hot plate. The chain is known for its reasonable prices, making it a popular choice for students, working professionals, and families looking for a quick and satisfying meal.
Pepper Lunch Express has numerous outlets within food courts in many malls. This accessibility has contributed to the chain’s success and popularity among locals and tourists alike. The Independent Singapore has approached Pepper Lunch Express for comment. /TISG
Is it OK to just speak from the heart, Singaporeans? No need to be so logical and factual. I do not want to go into all the details, of who was exactly right regarding this or that and so on.
But I want to say a number of things arising from what has been happening the last month or so. Just say them, without being too bothered regarding context.
Leon Perera and Nicole Seah: Such a sheer waste of talent plus the suffering caused to the families. In particular, Seah’s exit has deprived Singapore of a potential creative spark in the national dialogue. I see no one like her in the dreadful PAP lineup, now and in the immediate future.
Vivian Balakrishnan: Singapore’s latest top diplomat has always been accused of being arrogant by certain quarters. But I saw nothing arrogant about the manner in which he said he was sorry for the government’s error in not stating that contact-tracing data from TraceTogether was not exempt from the Criminal Procedure Code for criminal investigations.
I was impressed by the fact that he could clearly remember the timeline without referring to notes about something that took place two years ago. And he spoke without hesitation in Parliament under pressure from Pritam Singh on Aug 2. He really must have had sleepless nights over the lapse.
Tan Chuan-Jin/Cheng Li Hui: I find it particularly bizarre, if not insulting, that someone like the former, licentious Speaker of Parliament had presided over proceedings on ethics and the like. He was passing judgements on what was correct behaviour and what was not in the COP hearings on Raeesah Khan and Parliament in general, while not quite behaving himself behind everyone’s back.
I remember Lee Kuan Yew once said that he did not expect his ministers to be saints but if you were caught literally with your pants down, that was it.
Seah Kian Peng: The new Speaker has been an underrated cog in the People’s Action Party wheel.I have always seen him as a no-nonsense party man. An organiser, a doer, a pusher. He seems to be taking his duties as Speaker with enthusiasm. He did not impress me earlier when as part of the Select Committee looking into setting POFMA, he practically shut activist Jolovan Wham out of saying anything when he hurriedly closed the hearings as Wham was about to speak. But he was ok on Aug 2 being pretty amused by PSP’s NCMP Leong Mun Wai’s exchange with PAP MP (Bukit Batok) Murali Pillai over rent control.
Pritam Singh: Never mind all the finer details in the debate on Aug 2. The general impression was that the Leader of the Opposition has been hard done. Quote from an Independent.Sg report: “Seeking clarifications from PM Lee Hsien Loong and Chan Chun Sing in Parliament on Aug 2, Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh said that the government has been ‘slow to clear the air, or been less than upfront and forthright with Singaporeans when it had to deal with potentially embarrassing issues’.
“…he says that the public was not initially informed about CPIB’s investigation into the Ridout rentals. He said that Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean was appointed to establish whether there were any wrongdoings in order to maintain higher standards of integrity. He said the public was not told that PM Lee ordered a CPIB investigation.Pritam continued that the public was also not told about (Trade Minister) S Iswaran’s arrest when investigations were first disclosed.
“In a parallel universe, Sir, there is a perception where if a Singaporean or a Singaporean company took such a cavalier and breezy approach with critical facts under today’s PAP, they can expect to receive a POFMA direction from a PAP minister for perpetuating false statements of facts.”
PM Lee Hsien Loong: on the resignations of former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and former MP Cheng Li Hui: “I first learnt of their relationship sometime after the 2020 General Election – in fact, in November 2020. They were both spoken to, and counselled, separately. They both said they would stop the affair. But as it turned out, they did not. Most recently in February 2023, I spoke to them again, separately. Mr Tan admitted that what he did was wrong. He offered to resign, I accepted…
“Why did I take so long, more than two years, to act? It is a fair question. In retrospect and certainly now knowing how things eventually turned out, I agree. I should have forced the issue sooner.”
Have we all grown up now? Happy 58th National Day!
Tan Bah Bah, consulting editor ofTheIndependent.Sg is a former senior leader writer with The Straits Times. He was also the managing editor of a magazine publishing company.
In a fast-paced and competitive corporate landscape, surviving office politics is crucial to career success. Office politics or the subtle art of influencing others and gaining an advantage within the workplace, can lead to challenging situations when dealing with difficult colleagues.
Here are some effective strategies to manage difficult colleagues and survive office politics.
Engage and Understand: Initiate conversations with coworkers, understanding their perspectives, and sharing your own.
Mutual Support: Be there for your peers in times of need, and they’ll likely reciprocate.
Focus on your work ethic – Stay focused on your work and maintain a strong work ethic which will speak volumes about your dedication and professionalism. Demonstrating consistent performance and achieving results will earn you respect and credibility, making it harder for others to undermine your efforts.
Consistency is Crucial: Regularly produce high-quality work to earn your colleagues’ respect and trust.
Results Matter: Accomplishing tasks efficiently showcases your dedication and reliability.
Stay neutral and objective – When faced with such situations, avoid taking sides hastily. Instead, strive to remain neutral and objective, focusing on finding common ground and constructive solutions.
Avoid Hasty Judgments: Pause and evaluate situations objectively before jumping to conclusions.
Find the Middle Ground: Strive for solutions that benefit everyone, promoting unity and understanding.
Communicate effectively – When conflicts arise, address them directly and professionally. Avoid gossiping or spreading rumors, as such behaviors can escalate tension and damage your professional reputation. Honest and transparent communication will help dispel misunderstandings and foster a healthy work environment.
Address Directly: Tackle conflicts head-on, with tact and professionalism.
Steer Clear of Gossip: Refrain from negative chatter; it’s detrimental to team dynamics and your reputation.
Recognize and appreciate others – Acknowledging the accomplishments and efforts of your colleagues demonstrates a gracious and supportive attitude. Celebrating their success instead of feeling threatened by it creates a collaborative atmosphere.
Spread Positivity: Regularly highlight the achievements of your colleagues.
Team Spirit: Encourage a culture where everyone’s success is celebrated.
Develop a resilient mindset – Embrace setbacks as learning opportunities, remain adaptable in the face of change, and maintain a positive outlook even during difficult times. Your resilience will not only help you weather the storm but also inspire others to follow your lead.
Adaptability: Stay flexible and open-minded in the face of change.
Stay Optimistic: Challenges are learning experiences; approach them with a can-do attitude.
Office politics are an unavoidable reality in competitive workplaces, but they need not become a roadblock to your success. Remember, the key lies in leveraging your skills and strengths to create a supportive and collaborative work environment that benefits you and your colleagues alike.
In a dramatic turn of events, former President Donald Trump has been summoned to sit for a deposition in a $500 million lawsuit against his former attorney, Michael Cohen.
Michael Cohen, who has turned into a vocal critic of Trump, expressed anticipation for the deposition, vowing to prove the lawsuit’s frivolous nature.
Cohen’s lawyers are poised to grill Trump under oath, seeking to establish the truth behind the allegations.
The legal dispute began in April when Trump initiated the lawsuit against Cohen, claiming the former lawyer had spread falsehoods, enriched himself unjustly, and violated attorney-client privilege.
Alejandro Brito, Trump’s attorney, argued that his client’s reputation suffered immense harm due to Cohen’s actions and implied additional misconduct that violated New York’s Rules of Professional Conduct.
The Deposition
Ben Brodsky, Cohen’s attorney, likened the deposition notice to a subpoena, emphasizing that Trump cannot evade it, even though he has the option to dismiss the case entirely.
This legal showdown promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing feud between the two former associates.
Coincidentally, the deposition comes just weeks after Trump was informed by special counsel Jack Smith that he is a target in a federal investigation related to interference in the 2020 election.
The former president is also facing criminal charges in a hush-money case in New York state court and a federal case over the handling of classified documents following his White House tenure.
Trump has adamantly referred to both cases as “election interference” while simultaneously seeking the Republican presidential nomination for 2024.
Michael Cohen unpaid of legal fees
Adding further intrigue, earlier this month, Cohen and the Trump Organization reached a settlement in a separate lawsuit. The 2019 lawsuit, in which Cohen sought $1.3 million in legal fees from the Trump Organization, accused the company of reneging on a contractual deal to indemnify him and cover legal expenses related to his work involving the organization and its leadership, including Trump.
As the date of the deposition approaches, all eyes will be on the outcome of this momentous legal clash, which has the potential to shape the political and legal landscape for the former president and his critics alike.
SINGAPORE: A netizen took to social media to share her disappointment after a senior hairstylist at a salon reportedly messed up her bob. The unhappy customer shared a photo of the aftermath, eliciting a reaction out of many online users.
“Expensive doesn’t mean it’s good.” This is the message an anonymous participant shared with Singaporeans in the Complaint Singapore Facebook group on Tuesday (Aug 1).
“Bad haircut by CCA Hair, Far east plaza,” she said. “My hair was unevenly cut!!! Not recommended.” Included in the post was a photo of the haircut.”
“It was cut by a Korean guy senior hair stylist that probably doesn’t even know how to cut hair,” the netizen claimed. “I’m requesting only bob hairstyle, becomes this “anyhow” cut hairstyle.”
The online user continued, claiming, “He cut without using a comb and completed the haircut in a rush when then salon (didn’t even have) other customers. Shame on him being a senior hair stylist.”
According to the post, the salon gave the customer a refund. “They refunded the haircut fee $45,” the netizen wrote. “However, it doesn’t help, it will need a long time for my hair to grow back to normal length…I am just sharing with you all my encounters and warn everyone to be aware and careful when choosing the right hair salon for haircut.”
Many online users responded to the post. While many shared the customer’s shock and disappointment, a few others questioned the netizen instead.
“Those are horrible choppy layers that don’t blend,” one said, while another wrote, “Wow very badly done indeed.”
A third commented, “Will take a very long time to grow the hair from the top layer.”
A few others responded with jokes to make light of the matter, while some turned on the netizen, questioning her instead. “Maybe this is the latest style in Korea,” one joked.
Another pointed out, “At least you still could get a refund back.”
Still, a third wrote, “By the way, every haircut, the stylist will use mirror to show the back view to ensure you are satisfied. When you see it’s not right, why don’t you sound out when the stylist (is) still beside you? Now then you complain to the whole world that the salon is not good? What’s your agenda?”
A fourth commented, “Do your ever wonder, sometimes it’s not the hairstylist issue? Sometimes it’s the one sitting down on his chair.”
Warren Buffett, the legendary investor, has a knack for simplifying complex financial principles into actionable advice that can guide us all toward financial prosperity.
Invest in Yourself – This involves continuously improving your skills and knowledge, thereby significantly boosting your earning potential and become the best version of yourself.
Tame the Credit Card Beast – Credit cards offer convenience, yet, they can become a financial burden. Adopt responsible spending habits and pay off your credit card balance in full each month.
Smart Socializing – Excessive spending on bars and pubs can quickly drain your finances. Consider more affordable social gatherings, like hosting home get-togethers or picnics. You save money and also create memorable experiences in more intimate settings.
More Tips from Warren Buffett
Resist the Temptation of Shiny Gadgets – It can be tempting to upgrade gadgets regularly. Buffett advises taking a more pragmatic approach. Often, last year’s model performs just as well at a fraction of the price. Assess whether the latest upgrades genuinely provide substantial value before buying new ones.
Wardrobe Choices – Keep your wardrobe simple and functional. Opt for classic and durable clothing over flashy, expensive brands to achieve a timeless and sophisticated look without breaking the bank.
Understand the Risks of Gambling – Buffett warns against the allure of gambling as a shortcut to wealth. Financial decisions should be based on understanding the odds and making choices that align with long-term wealth accumulation rather than seeking momentary thrills.
Kick the Smoking Habit – Smoking not only poses severe health risks but also drains your budget. Quitting smoking can lead to significant cost savings and is a wise investment in your long-term financial and physical well-being.
Warren Buffet Roadmap
Warren Buffett’s financial advice is more than just sage wisdom; it’s a roadmap to financial stability and long-term success. By being mindful of these common financial pitfalls, we can all better manage our finances and pave the way toward a wealthy future.
SINGAPORE: A poly student recently turned to Singaporeans to ask whether or not a S$400 monthly allowance is enough for poly students. Many Singaporeans responded by reminding the youngster to be grateful for whatever is given. A handful even shared anecdotes about how, back in the day, they would work to earn extra while studying.
“Is $400 monthly allowance enough for poly students?” This question, posted by an anonymous participant on the Complaint Singapore Facebook group has gotten the attention of many online users.
“This $400 is only for Monday to Friday, three meals a day, plus transportation to school daily. Which is to say Monday to Friday I need to buy my own dinner too as we don’t cook,” the netizen shared. “My parents provide meals on weekends as we usually eat out. But on Saturdays, I usually go out with friends but not always. Sunday is family day.”
Many responded to the post by calling on the student to be grateful for whatever is given, a handful sharing their own experiences in their youth or with their children.
“My son in ITE gets half of that,” said one. “If you deem $400 not enough for your lifestyle, you could take up a part time job to help fund it.”
“Be thankful your parents give you an allowance!” wrote another. “You don’t know there are many parents out there that don’t bother or can’t afford.”
still, a third shared, “Be grateful for $400 and it is a lot from the parent. In actual fact he should be working part-time over weekend or free time instead of have good time with the friends. Meeting your friends once a month is more than enough for catching up and networking…”
Others shared how it was for them back in the day, with one saying, “Wow in poly I was working part time just to pay my own school fees. You still got allowance! Good life.”
Another offered a gentle reality check, saying, “Wake up bro…in our time during SEC 2, (we would) start to find a part-time job.”
Still, another gave the student a word of advice, saying, “Be grateful…work part time if you think it’s not enough because everything is getting expensive here.”
One netizen compared the student’s allowance with the reality of adulthood for some people, saying, “Some of the working adults don’t even spend $400 during working days per month. Save up or work part time then.”
SINGAPORE: Academic Donald Low publicly criticised the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) yesterday (Aug 3) for what he has deemed “hypocrisy, blatant double standards, and self-righteousness,” given the way the party treated the opposition while maintaining silence on the indiscretions of its own members.
His comments on the PAP’s alleged hypocrisy come after Parliament sat on Wednesday (Aug 2) to discuss the corruption probe involving Transport Minister S Iswaran and the affair scandal involving Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and Tampines GRC MP Cheng Li Hui.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered a ministerial statement explaining why he handled the two controversies the way he did and acknowledged that he should have dealt with the affair more swiftly as he first came to know about the inappropriate relationship in 2020.
Workers’ Party (WP) chief and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh then slammed the Government for what he perceives as a lack of transparency and selective standards when dealing with potentially embarrassing issues.
Mr Singh argued, “The Prime Minister did not bat an eyelid in giving the Leader of the Opposition a sermon on Confucian ethics, morality and shame even though at the material time, he would have been aware of the affair between Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and MP Cheng Li Hui.”
Highlighting this remark, Prof Low said on Facebook: “People in glass houses…When your party isn’t exactly a paragon of virtue, maybe you should pontificate less, and stop calling other people hypocrites.”
Calling Mr Tan “the most egregious example of hypocrisy,” given the way he allegedly treated national athlete Soh Rui Yong for the use of an expletive in a podcast while he himself called an opposition MP a “f**king populist” in Parliament, Prof Low said:
“So let’s be clear here: Singaporeans are not Sunday school kids. We don’t have a problem with our politicians having extramarital affairs as long as these do not affect their public duties”.
“We also don’t really have a problem with politicians using vulgarities. It’s the hypocrisy, the blatant double standards, and the self-righteousness of the PAP that are contemptible.”
He added, “If the PAP wants to regain trust, instead of declaring that it is upholding standards, how about it just stop its preachiness and talking down to people, and check its hypocritical, holier-than-thou attitude?”
Prof Low was the Associate Dean of executive research and education at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) before he resigned in 2018. He now teaches at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. /TISG
SINGAPORE: Singaporean couple Joanne Peh and Qi Yuwu, moved into their resale condo alongside their two kids in 2022. The renovation of their home took a while, but it was definitely worth the wait.
The end result displayed European-themed decorations, all with cornices, chandeliers, marble floorings, and elegant classical furnishings. Their new home also features numerous pieces from a luxurious British furniture brand, Christopher Guy. The artist and his brand is known for its iconic “Chris-cross” furniture-leg design.
The celebrity couple shared in a YouTube video by interior design platform, The SIXiDES, that they really wanted a modern European and classical design.
Astley Ng, the couple’s interior designer, expressed that he was inspired by black-and-white colonial houses, that’s why he incorporated white walls, dark brown and gray accents to the house.
Photo: SIXiDES YouTube Channel
More so, none of the furniture was cheap.
Based on the Christopher Guy website, their sofa costs $20,900, while their coffee table costs $18,400. The dining table retails for $19,300, and each chair ghosts $3,000.
Photo: SIXiDES YouTube Channel
Their canopy bed in the master bedroom, which is shaped like a cocoon, retails from $20,500.
In other news, Joanne Peh explained in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao that showbiz celebrities and internet celebrities are different from one another, and this misunderstanding causes problems to many young and rising artists.
“I think artists will feel pressure from influencers. I often tell young actors that we are not influencers and we should not compare ourselves with them. Our online traffic won’t be better than theirs,” Joanne Peh admitted.
SINGAPORE: A resident recently was annoyed over second-hand smoke from neighbours public, sharing the frustration in a post on social media.
“Smokers can smoke in your own house but why must stand at the window?” An anonymous online user took to Complaint Singapore on Thursday (Aug 3) to vent about the second-hand smoke of neighbours. “Just close your windows tight and smoke inside,” the resident said. “The fact you stand at the window is because you don’t want to stink up your own house but don’t mind stinking up other people’s houses by blowing the smoke out.”
The netizen then questioned, “Isn’t that very selfish? Smoke at your own house ok but close your windows tight.”
Online users seemed to be divided in their responses to the post. While some understood the resident’s frustration, others encouraged the person to be the one to close the windows instead to avoid the stress.
“You can also close your window tight to prevent smoke from going in,” said one, while another wrote, “If (you) don’t want air you can close your windows,” said another. “Easy peasy. Don’t make your own problems become one for others. As you know raining heavily you’ll close the windows as well.”
Another user commented, “Hungry ghost coming…so those who want to pray and burn incense must burn in the house and close window? Be tolerant with one another. Everything cannot stay inside cave.”
The anonymous resident then responded by saying,. “Religious reasons once a year. Cigarette smoke daily. What (are you talking about)? Weird comparison you have.”
“You can close your window instead,” said another commenter. “I don’t like the frying fish smell from my neighbour, i will close my window rather than asking them to close their window and cook.”
Other online users, however, understood the resident’s frustration and expressed their support of the idea to get smokers to close their windows. “I think it’s fair to close their windows,” said one. “But people are selfish.”
“I don’t mind second hand smoke but your post makes sense,” wrote another. “If they like to smoke so much, why are they not okay with smoking with their windows closed? Kind of a hypocrisy.”
“My neighbor said they don’t want their child to inhale the smoke, but smoke outside my unit, to let my children inhale his smoke,” said a third. “Not only he smoke, his parents smoke outside my unit as well. It’s so selfish that I’m totally speechless. Many years, we don’t dare to open the windows.”
